21 н Messages From Beyond the Stars

Transcription

1 God Stills Speaks Through His Prophets 1 In different parts of the world, scientists using powerful radio-telescopes are listening for sounds from outer space. 2 They hope that maybe someday, they will hear a message from intelligent beings on some other world. 3 There is evidence that a message has been beaming to Earth for thousands of years now-but few are listening to it. 4 It s a message from the Creator of this planet a message of love from a God trying to win back His rebellious children. 5 6 This separation between God and the human race has not always existed. Everything began beautifully on Planet Earth a perfect world for two perfect people, created in the image of God! (Video: 7 sec) And there in their Garden home, God came and walked and talked with them face to face. Just imagine them strolling along together in the cool of the evening! This is the way God planned it-a beautiful relationship of togetherness! There was nothing to keep them apart. Those must have been delightful visits together. 7 1

2 But sad to say, this relationship of love and togetherness lasted only for two chapters in the Bible. 8 Genesis, chapter 3 tells a tragic story. Adam and Eve sinned They rebelled against God s rule of perfect love. Sin separates. Sin and God are incompatible. Adam and Eve could no longer have direct communication and fellowship with God. They listened to the serpent Lucifer and obeyed him instead of God and that s sin. 11 (Text: Genesis 3:8) The Bible says, And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: 12 and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God 13 amongst the trees of the garden. Genesis 3:8. 14 Adam and Eve were hiding! They didn t want to face God. They just wanted to hide. That s what sin does. 2

3 It separates and shatters love relationships between God and man, and between man and others. 15 (Text: Isaiah 59:2) The prophet Isaiah wrote: But your iniquities have separated you from your God; 16 and your sins have hidden His face from you... Isaiah 59:2. 17 Yes, sin separated us from God, but it didn t separate us from His love. God found a way of keeping in touch with sinful man. Love always finds a way of keeping in touch! He established another way of communicating with His children on Planet Earth a way of guiding and instructing, and revealing His plans. 18 He chose men and women He could trust to be His mouthpiece, to communicate His love and plans to mankind. Among those He chose were Moses, Miriam, Samuel, Elijah, Huldah, Deborah, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and many more. 19 Prophets and prophetesses were spokespeople for God! 20 3

4 This was God s way of saying, I love you, I care about you, and I have a plan to help you The Bible records many conversations between the Lord and different Bible characters, but it wasn t the same as the conversations and fellowship that Adam and Eve had enjoyed in the Garden of Eden. Sometimes God spoke through the Holy Spirit, sometimes by the holy angels, and at other times through people whom He chose to be His messengers. 23 During the first 2,500 years of human history, there was no written revelation from God so far as we have been able to discover. Those who were taught of God must have shared verbally what He had told them. However, the most frequently chosen channel God used to communicate with His people 24 (Text: Amos 3:7) (Video: 6 sec) has been the channel of prophets and prophetesses-men and women who spoke for God at the moving of the Holy Spirit. This shouldn t be too surprising, for the Bible clearly states: Surely the Lord God does nothing, unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets. Amos 3:7. Let s notice how these prophets received their messages: 4 25

5 (Text: 2 Peter 1:21) For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. 2 Peter 1:21 God had prophets, of course, even before the great Flood of Noah s day. (Text: Judges 14) Enoch proclaimed Christ s second coming: Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men also, saying, Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints. Jude 14. Enoch is the first person mentioned in the Bible who had the gift of prophecy. But there were others! (Text: Acts 3:21) The Bible says, God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began. Acts 3: Noah, another prophet, foretold the destruction of the world by the flood 120 years before it came to pass. 31 After the Flood, we find many prophets and prophetessesincluding Miriam, Deborah, Jeremiah, Isaiah, Ezekiel, and others. They were teachers of righteousness. They were moral and spiritual guides, speaking for God. Sometimes God revealed His will to prophets and prophetesses by visions, sometimes by dreams, and sometimes through the Word of God. But always through the Holy Spirit. 32 5

6 (Text: Numbers 12:6) The Lord said:...if there is a prophet among you, I, the Lord, make Myself known to him in a vision; 33 I speak to him in a dream. Numbers 12:6. 34 Sometimes God s messengers were instructed to speak for God; sometimes they were to write or record a message from Him. In fact, the Bible is the product of the ministry of prophets. Every author was a part of God s plan. All spoke or wrote for Him moved by His Spirit. Through them God sent a love letter to His children on earth It s His way of saying, I love you, and I want to keep in touch with you. And especially He wants us to know that He longs for the time when we can fellowship together face-to-face! All of the authors of the New Testament Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Paul, James, Peter, and Jude were a part of that plan. 37 All had the gift of prophecy. Of course, there were others during that time who were speaking for God: Simon, Agabus, Barnabus, Anna, (Text: Acts 21:9) and Phillip s four daughters...which did prophesy. All were instruments God used to reveal His will and to encourage the early Christian church. 6 38

7 39 40 Then Jesus came, to personally demonstrate by words and actions what God is really like. Never has the world witnessed a more eloquent Communicator of God s love and concern. Nineteen centuries have passed since Calvary, yet men and women and boys and girls still kneel at the foot of the cross and pledge undying allegiance and devotion to the Saviour of the world. When Jesus returned to heaven, the Bible says He gave gifts unto men-gifts which would strengthen and encourage His followers: (Text: Ephesians 4:8) Wherefore He saith, when He ascended upon high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. Ephesians 4:8. What were these gifts? (Text: Ephesians 4:11-15) The Bible says, And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists, and some, pastors and teachers. Ephesian 4:11. Why did Jesus choose to give gifts to the church? Verse 12 says, For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. 43 How long were these gifts to remain in the church? Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, 44 unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. Verse 13. The Bible says that these gifts would give stability to the church and strengthen the people. 45 7

8 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive. Verse 14. Notice where the gift of prophecy stands in the list of spiritual gifts, as Paul calls them. (Text: 1 Corinthians 12:28) And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets... 1 Corinthians 12: The gift of prophecy ranked second only to that of apostleship, but it was to be a very important and necessary gift to help the church function properly. 49 Paul likened the gifts of the Spirit to the various parts of the human body. 50 He showed that the eyes, head, mouth, and other body parts are all necessary for the body to function harmoniously and efficiently. Just so with the church. Without vision, for example, the church is blind! (Text: Proverbs 29:28) Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. Proverbs 29: But, you say, What happened to the gift of prophecy after Christ returned to heaven and all His disciples died? 8 52

9 53 54 Not many generations passed until the church became careless, compromising, and unfaithful to God and His law. Jeremiah records what happened when Israel apostatized for a period of time: (Text: Lamentations 2:9) The law is no more, and her prophets no longer find visions from the Lord. Lamentations 2:9. As the early church adopted pagan rites and practices and discarded fundamental truths of the Bible, one by one the spiritual gifts were withheld. 55 During the time of the church s apostasy, or the Dark Ages, Bibles were chained to monastery pulpits. In general they were written in Hebrew, Greek and Latin. 56 The common people were forbidden to own or read the Scriptures. Only priests were allowed to read and interpret the Bible. 57 A few faithful Christians held to the Bible and its truths. Despite persecution, they carried on missionary work and shared portions of the Scriptures they possessed. They planted the seeds of the Reformation long before Wycliffe, Luther, and Huss. (Video: 8 sec) Martin, Luther and others translated the Bible into the common language of the people. Persecution came, but it only caused a greater desire for God s Word. 58 And as people began to diligently search the Scriptures, old truths hidden for centuries were discovered. These truths were brought to the attention of the people, and a great religious awakening resulted. 59 9

10 60 About this time there came into being a new religious movement- a group of dedicated Christians, some Baptist, some Methodists, some Presbyterians, and others - searching the Scriptures and praying for light. 61 As they searched the Bible they discovered in the fourth commandment of God the great memorial of His creation-a day God asked His people to remember. They read the Book of Revelation and saw the description of God s last-day people: (Text: Revelation 14:12) Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. Revelation 14: As they read and studied other texts, they were impressed that keeping the commandments of God involved keeping the Bible Sabbath. They accepted this memorial to creation and proclaimed the Sabbath truth to the world 63 (Video: 11 sec) What about the gift of prophecy? Would God raise up the special gift of prophecy among this end time Sabbath keeping people? Does God have something special? 64 Is it not reasonable to conclude that God might have something special to say to this generation? Might God in His love for us living today want to keep in touch with us? (Text: Joel 2:28,31) Listen: And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out My Spirit upon all flesh; 10 65

11 and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions before the great and terrible day of the Lord come. Joel 2:28, Notice that God said this would take place just prior to the Great and terrible day of the Lord or just before the coming of Christ the second time. 68 God s people are to have the gift of prophecy in their midst during the closing hours of earth s history. Communicating with the church at Corinth, Paul made this statement concerning God s followers: (Text: 1 Corinthians 1:7) So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 1:7. We have already discovered that the people of God in the last days will be characterized as those who keep the Commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus. Rev 12:17 the patience of the saints 71 and keep the commandments of God 72 11

12 and they will have the testimony of Jesus (Text: Revelation 19:10) We are told that the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. Revelation 19:10. In other words, the testimony of Jesus is the witness of Jesus through the prophetic gift. According to Revelation, the church that remains as God s channel of communication in the last days is characterized as having the faith of Jesus, keeping all the commandments of God, and being blessed by the gift of prophecy. Yes, God still wants to keep in touch. He still has something to say to this generation. 75 But, you might ask, What about the possibility of deception? How can we tell the difference between a genuine prophet of God and a false prophet? The possibility of deception has always existed. Throughout history there have been false and true prophets. We don t have to be concerned about false ones, though, if we know how to recognize the genuine ones. The Bible gives specific characteristics that identify a true prophet: 12 78

13 A true prophet s message will be in complete harmony with God s Word and His law (Text: Isaiah 8:20) To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no Light in them. Isaiah 8:20. A true prophet s predictions must come to pass or be fulfilled always! (Text: Jeremiah 28:9)...When the word of the prophet shall come to pass, then shall the prophet be known, that the Lord hath truly sent him. Jeremiah 28:9. A true prophet prophesies to edify the church. One of the reasons God has given the gift of prophecy is to build up His church. If we are to discover the true gift we must discover the true church. They are linked together. (Text: 1 Corinthians 14:3,4) But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. 1 Corinthians 14:3, A true prophet will exalt Christ as the Son of God and the Saviour of mankind: 86 13

14 (Text: 1 John 4:1,2) Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits, whether they are of God, 87 because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 88 Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God. 1 John 4:1, 2.KJV 89 A true prophet or prophetess can be known by his or her life and works. 90 (Text: Matthew 7:16,18) By their fruit you will recognize them A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Matthew 7:16, Based on these texts, it becomes obvious that not everyone who professes to be a prophet of God is a true prophet. 93 A true prophet s message, his life, and actions must support and strengthen the prophetic messages in the Bible and the instructions and commands of God in His Holy Word

15 So no matter who claims to speak for God, apply the tests! If they fit, thank God! If they don t, follow Christ s warning to watch out for them. 95 Let me share the story of how God chose to keep in touch with His people. It was a time when they were making known to the world the truths which had been hidden for centuries. It was during the Great Religious Awakening early in the 19th century. There was tremendous interest in Bible study and prayer. The prophecies of Daniel and Revelation held special interest. Faithful Bible students studied these prophecies and eventually came to the conclusion that Jesus would come in their day. 96 As they continued to study they settled on the date of October 22, However, October 22 passed and the glorious return of Jesus did not take place. 97 It was a most bitter disappointment. It provoked much ridicule, scoffing, and misrepresentation (Video: 8 sec) Later, after much prayer and further Bible study, the group discovered the date was correct, but the event was wrong! They had thought the sanctuary mentioned in Daniel 8:14 was the earth, but in this they were mistaken. Instead of the earth being cleansed by fire, the sanctuary in heaven was to be cleansed. This involved the final vindication of God s character and government. 15

16 100 The people were crushed The disappointment seemed unbearable. But a loving God never forsakes the sincere seeker for truth: and He didn t forsake these advent believers at this moment of crises. He wanted them to know that He cared-that He loved them and wanted to help. So at this most crucial moment, God chose to restore the gift of prophecy to His people. It is a fascinating story from the start! He chose a frail 17 year old girl and gave her a vision of the triumph of God s cause. Ellen Harmon was given her first vision soon after the Great Disappointment in December, She was shown the advent people traveling an elevated road to heaven with a brilliant light illuminating the pathway. What an encouragement this message was to this small and scattered group of advent believers, which would later become known as Seventh-day Adventists. 102 This young woman who became Ellen White through her marriage to Adventist pioneer James White was faithful to her calling. For more than 70 years, she spoke, wrote, taught, and counseled for God. 103 Although the scope of her ministry and expertise is astounding, her greatest work, as she put it, was to lead men and women to the greater light the Bible. She wrote: Little heed is given to the Bible and the Lord has given a lesser light to lead men and women to the Greater Light. Colporteur Ministry, p

17 She championed the Holy Scriptures as the final court of appeal in all doctrinal questions. To some who were criticizing the Word of God, she wrote: 105 Cling to your Bible as it reads and stop your criticism in regard to its validity and obey the Word, 106 and not one of you will be lost. Selected Messages, Bk. 1, p No woman author has ever produced as much published religious material as Ellen White did in books, magazine articles, tracts, pamphlets,and personal letters. Her messages of counsel and reproof received from God were shared with His people throughout her lifetime Her writings include counsel on victorious Christian living, diet, health, prenatal care, drugs, marriage and the home, child guidance, education, and much, much, more. 109 Many of her writings are now more than 100 years old and have been validated by modern scientific discoveries. She has been quoted by professors, doctors, news commentators, and others as an authority in many of these fields. Dr. Clive M. McCay, the late professor of nutrition at Cornell University, stated: 110 The writings of Ellen G. White have been cited because they provide a guide to nutrition that comprehends the whole body. -Natural Food and Farming, May,

18 (Video: 4 sec) As far back as 1864, Ellen White wrote: Tobacco is a poison of the most deceitful and malignant kind It is all the more dangerous because its effects upon the system are so slow, and scarcely perceivable. 112 However, it wasn t until 1957 that the American Cancer Society and the American Heart Association concluded that smoking was a causative factor in lung cancer! 113 In her day, those in the medical field must have questioned her, for at that time it was thought that tobacco and cigar smoke were an effective cure for lung disease. In 1905 Mrs. White wrote that there were cancerous germs. She stated: People are continually eating flesh that is filled with tuberculosis and cancerous germs Tuberculosis, cancer, and other fatal diseases are thus communicated. The Ministry of Healing, p Of course, today we would more accurately use the word virus. Ninety-three years later, Newsweek magazine carried a story titled Viruses are Activating Factors in Cancer Dr. Wendell Stanley, University of California virologist and Nobel Prize Winner,

19 went so far as to state without qualification that he believes viruses cause most of all human cancer. Newsweek, June 18, In 1902, Ellen White warned that San Francisco and Oakland would be visited by the Lord because they were becoming like Sodom and Gomorrah. (Manuscript 1902, p. 114.) On April 18, 1906 at 5:12 a.m., the Great San Francisco Earthquake occurred. The prophecy was true. The predicted destruction did take place exactly as foretold. Mrs. White s achievements are all the more astounding when we consider the overwhelming obstacles and handicaps which confronted her throughout her lifetime. Someone may be wondering who was Ellen White, and what was she like? The answer takes us back to November 26, On that date, twin girls, Elizabeth and Ellen, were born near the little village of Gorham, Maine, to Eunice and Robert Harmon. Ellen was the last of eight children. At the age of nine an accident changed her life forever. While returning home from school, Ellen was seriously injured by a stone thrown by a classmate. 123 For three weeks she was unconscious. She was unable to continue her schooling, and it appeared that she would not live long. She never got beyond the early grades of formal schooling

20 125 Years later Ellen looked back with mixed emotions on that ninth year of her life. True, it was heartrending not being able to attend school-not being able to run and play with her sisters and brothers. But as one phase of her life seemingly ended, another began. Ellen became an avid student of the Bible. She attended camp meetings, revivals, and cottage meetings. After attending a Methodist camp meeting in Buxton, Maine, Ellen was baptized June 26, She became a member of the Methodist church. 126 Later, Ellen and her family attended some meetings held in Portland, Maine. The speaker was William Miller, a former army captain, who had been diligently studying the Bible. 127 Because he advocated the soon coming of Christ, he and his followers were labeled Advents or Millerites. The Harmon family were convinced of the truthfulness of Miller s messages. 128 However, after the great disappointment of October 22, 1844, they too were devastated. Ellen was greatly disappointed. She wept, she prayed, she studied God s Word for an answer, as did many of the advent believers. Then it was that God called her to be His prophetess. Physically, she didn t appear to be what you d expect of a prophetess. She was a 17-year-old girl, fighting tuberculosis and a heart condition. Yet in December of 1844, God chose to speak to Ellen in a vision. In her own words, she tells of her reaction: 20

21 129 After I had the vision, and God gave me light, He bade me deliver it... but I shrank from it. I was young, and I thought they would not receive it from me. Ellen G. White Letter 3, Although feeling inadequate and physically incapable of the responsibilities of this calling by God, in faith she accepted the mission for God that would last her lifetime. 130 Ellen and her husband James White worked together in sharing the light God gave Their triumphs and their devotion are shared in many of her writings. Throughout her life Ellen White was a committed Christian, a tireless servant of God, and a devout mother. She was loved by her husband, her family, and thousands around the world. 133 On August 6, 1881, Ellen s husband James died in Battle Creek, Michigan. Standing by his graveside was Ellen pledging to press on in the work they both had sacrificed and relentlessly pursued for over 35 years! Some of Ellen s most beautiful and inspiring writings appeared after this date. She worked alone for another 34 years. 134 Her prophetic ministry took her to several countries guiding, instructing, and counseling the believers as the Lord led her. 21

22 The life and labors of Ellen Gould White closed on July 16, She was past 87 years of age. 135 She was buried at the side of her husband in Oak Hill Cemetery in Battle Creek, Michigan. A few weeks after her death, a newspaper carried this statement: She showed no spiritual pride and she sought no filthy lucre [riches]. She lived the life and did the work of a worthy prophetess, the most admirable of the American succession. - The New York Independent, August 23, Yes, her voice is stilled-her pen is at rest. But the priceless words of counsel, admonition, instruction and encouragement of this faithful spokesperson for God will continue to guide God s people to final victory! (Video: 6 sec) Her legacy to the world is a gift of love-a message to earth from across the universe, from a God of love who still wants to keep in touch with His children here until Christ comes. Then the lesser light will pale as we stand in the glorious light of His presence once again to see and fellowship with God face-to-face in all His glory! 139 A number of years ago, in the vast desert wastes of Bechuanaland, South Africa, lived a primitive bushman named Sukuba. He lived an isolated life as a member of a nomadic people. 22 One winter night he crept into his shelter and prepared to sleep. But suddenly the night became brighter than day. A shining being appeared to him and told him to find the people of the Book.

23 He must find the people who worshiped God. Sukuba wasn t sure what that meant. What book? How could he read it if he found it? The language of the bushman contained clicks and guttural sounds that were quite unlike the language of other African tribes. It has never been reduced to writing. But this Shining One, as Sukuba called the angel who appeared to him, had said, The book talks. You will be able to read it. Sukuba traveled for days with his family in search of the book. He reached the hut of some Bantu farmers and asked if they knew of the people with the Book. The tribesman was startled to hear the bushman somehow speaking his Bantu language. He immediately took Sukuba to his pastor. The pastor was deeply moved by Sukuba s story. And he said, Your journey is over. Sukuba was very happy. But that night the Shining One appeared to him again. He said that these were not the people he was looking for. He must find the Sabbath-keeping church and Pastor Moye. Pastor Moye would have a Book and also four brown books that are really nine. The next day Sukuba prayed for a sign. He needed some direction for his journey. When he did, a cloud appeared in the sky. Sukuba set off after it and followed it for seven days. It disappeared over a certain village. There Sukuba asked for Pastor Moye and was quickly directed to his home. 23

24 After Sukuba told his story in the local dialect, Pastor Moye brought out his worn Bible. That is it! Sukuba exclaimed. That is it! But where are the four books, that are really nine? Well, as it turned out, Ellen White, years before, had written nine volumes of instruction to God s church called Testimonies to the Church. And these were later combined into four books. Sukuba s search was over. He had found the people of the Book. He had found a Sabbath-keeping people, a people blessed with the prophetic gift. Eventually he and his family accepted Christ and were baptized. He became a missionary to his own people. God is working in marvelous ways today to lead men and women to His true church. The fact that you are hearing this story is no accident. Like Sukuba, you are being guided. God is guiding you into His truth. God is giving you courage to face the future. Perhaps you ve been searching for truth for years. I believe your search has ended. You ve been divinely guided to this destination. You, like Sukuba, can exclaim, This is it! God s church! Don t you want to join those who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus? Don t you want to join God s last-day people? Consider this commitment carefully. It could be the most important decision of your life. 24